CD Reviews

No flashy guitar, just good blues

Brian E. Defferding | Oshkosh, WI United States | 07/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's true -- he goes through many different styles of blues; from the delta/acoustic "The Woman I Love" to the slathered-up-with-grease kind o' funk of "It's Good to Me". What I really enjoy about this album is that Luther allows the other musicians in his band play solos in his songs, the horn is really nice. Good for both parties and after-hours!"

A lot of fun for your money

Brian E. Defferding | 06/24/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What you'll really love about this CD is the many styles of Blues that Johnson explores in less than twenty songs; you'll get the famous West Side (Chicago) Electric Blues, Acoustic Blues, well done Blues covers, pseudo-jump blues and songs that will make your speakers start dancing. This CD is a must have for fans of Electric Blues. Play this CD at your next party all the way through......twice, and then some."

A good, solid contemporary blues record

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 08/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson is no Muddy Waters, even though he played with Muddy's band in the 70s, but "Slammin' On The West Side" is a really solid slice of contemporary Chicago blues.

It doesn't smoke all the way through, sure, but there are plenty of highlights, including a rocking, piano-driven rendition of Buddy Johnson's "A Pretty Girl (A Cadillac and Some Money)", the swaggering "I Ain't Doin' To Bad", the slowies "Early In The Morning Blues" and "Sittin' On The Back Seat Of A Greyhound Bus", a few nice, soul-flavoured numbers ("It's Good To Me", "Hey Little Girl" and "Every Woman Needs To Be Loved"), and the acoustic "Get Up And Go" (which is actually "Bottle Up And Go" in a slightly different guise).Johnson is backed by a tight, down-to-earth combo (two guitars, bass, drums, piano and occationally a Hammond B-3 organ), and while his voice isn't terribly powerful or distinct, he is an adequate singer, and fans of the classic West Side sound should enjoy this fine set of soul-tinged blues."